Old dogs getting new niche with product line
When I opened the big box from Silver Tails Senior Pet Products, I nearly fell on the floor laughing.
Really? Care products especially for elderly dogs? Pure genius is what it is. Hunters, especially duck hunters, enjoy a profound kinship with their retrieving dogs that is reserved for one’s most trusted and treasured hunting companions. They spare no expense for their health and comfort. In fact, one of my best friends takes better care of his dogs than he does himself. He works his dogs hard, but he rewards them with the best chow money can buy. His vet bills consume a significant percentage of his annual income, and he swears it’s the most worthwhile money he spends.
I know others just like him. They span the social/income strata, and Silver Tails products are right up their alley.
I should have given the products to them for testing because I have collies. They are much loved, but not particularly appreciative. They are suspicious of implements like the hand-held, batterypowered massager and also the vibrating infrared massager. They unnerve my oldest dog and terrify the other two. The literature says a massage is a great bonding experience. It makes my dogs run away.
How about the Vet Tech Dental System? It includes everything you need to clean your pet’s teeth and gums. The one-handed operation allows for a pleasant dental experience for you and your pet. Not my pets. They don’t like having tools crammed in their mouths. You can also get refill heads for the toothbrush and extra cleaning solution.
The Senior Wellness Chews, on the other hand, were very popular. They are loaded with vitamins and Omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat, and inulin to promote digestion. They are also wheat- and gluten-free. Our youngest collie, about 1-year old, loved them. My daughter Brooke used them to train her to sit, stay, shake paws and jump through hoops. She monopolized them, and the other dogs didn’t get any.
No dog is more finicky than a collie, but ours enjoyed the Flavor Enhancing Supplement with Vitamins. It comes in beef or chicken flavor and is designed for finicky, senior and unwell pets. It is basically a powdered version of the chews, with lots of vitamins and Omega6 fatty acids.
For mobility-impaired dogs, the Bottom’s Up Harness can be an exercise aid. This device straps around a dog’s hips, and another strap attaches to the lead. The owner pulls up on the hips and lead simultaneously, relieving pressure on the joints. It is supposed to be good for steadying arthritic and postsurgical dogs. I’ve found that old, sore dogs would rather be left alone, but what do they know?
Have you ever heard of magnetic therapy? I bought a magnetic bracelet at the Arkansas Big Buck Classic in 2008. Shortly after I started wearing it, I was diagnosed with cancer, and now I have an associative aversion to it. Maybe the Silver Tails Magnetic Therapy Collars work better for dogs, and cats, too. The literature says “potential” benefits include improved circulation to sore or diseased tissue, increased energy and pain relief. These magnetic collars feature 500 Gauss magnets that slip over your pet’s existing collar. They come in small, medium and large sizes.
Our collies were poor models for these items because they have too much fur. They’re probably ideal for short-haired dogs like Labs, pointing dogs and other hunting breeds.
How about the Bamboo Charcoal Pet Bed Covers? These machine-washable covers are designed to fit over your pet’s favorite bed and feature inserts lined with miso bamboo. The inserts are hand-washable and are refreshed by sunlight. The product literature says the charcoal has a high mineral content that includes potassium, calcium, iron and sodium. The carbonized structure is said to deodorize, purify and control humidity.
“Bamboo charcoal reacts with your pet’s body heat, producing infrared rays,” the literature says. “These rays have been known to relieve aches and pains, reduce stress and speed recovery. Other benefits may include joint relief and improved circulation, energy and flexibility.”
Our dogs prefer the back porch to beds, so we gave these to a relative for her elderly dogs. They are ill-tempered beasts, even with their very own air-conditioned garage. Now they growl at each other from comfortable, therapeutic beds.
Quaker Pet Group did not provide information about where to find Silver Tails products locally, but a full catalog is available at www. silvertails.com. You’ll love the pet testimonials.